Following calls for ‘blinding’ LED headlights to be banned, drivers are being advised how to combat the potentially deadly issue.
A petition on the House of Commons website has called for the very bright lights on cars to be removed. It read: “We believe LED headlights need to be banned on public roads. A recent survey found that almost 9 in 10 people think at least some headlights on cars on the road today are too bright.”
AA president Edmund King said he believes they are a major contributing factor which are causing collisions on the roads.
In a new question at the Commons, Jim Shannon from the Democratic Unionist Party asked the Secretary of State for Transport, “what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the safety of LED headlights on cars (a) generally and (b) on country roads.”
And Lilian Greenwood replied yesterday (January 20) that a new study has been commissioned – and would be looking into potential ‘countermeasures’. She said: “All types of road vehicle headlamps are designed, tested, and approved to internationally recognised standards to help prevent undue glare and ensure safety on a broad range of roads and environments.
”However, noting increased public concern about headlamp glare, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes and develop potential countermeasures. This work is underway and due to deliver in summer 2025; it will include real-world assessment of glare on a broad range of road types and scenarios including country roads.”
Rhydian Jones, a car insurance expert at Confused.com has now told of three ways drivers can cope with the glaring lights.
Rhydian recommends drivers should adjusts their rear view mirror to help reduce glare, as well as keeping windscreens free from dirt and slow down when headlights are affecting your vision.
He said: “With darker morning and evening commutes, many might be worried about being able to see the road clearly at night.
“In fact, our research found that nearly half (48%) of drivers often have difficulty seeing the road due to glare from oncoming headlights. And more than 1 in 4 (28%) have lost sight of the road due to other drivers’ headlights. So this study into reducing the impact of headlights could be welcomed by many.
“But for now, if you are struggling with other cars’ bright lights when driving, the best thing to do is to slow down and drive carefully. However, if it’s the car behind you which is dazzling, adjusting your rear view mirror could help reduce glare. It also helps to keep your windscreens free from dirt as this often creates glare too.’
And he also suggested spectacle wearers use lenses with an anti-reflective coating when driving as it could make a difference.
He said drivers of vehicles with bright LED headlights should also take action to prevent accidents.
He said: “To help other drivers who struggle driving when it’s dark, you should adjust your headlights, especially if your car has brighter LED ones.”
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